Plateau de la Planèze from Col de Prat de Bouc

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The Plateau de la Planèze starting from Prat de Bouc.

N.B. Following the route with the Visorando app can be very useful in the forest due to the numerous trail intersections encountered.

Details

n°25523916
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.55 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 260 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 263 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,490 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,249 m
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Photos

A happy herd
The Plateau
A beautiful "Aubrac"
From the pass

Description of the walk

Park in the Col de Prat de Bouc car park. The start of the hike is on the other side of the road.

(S/E) From the car park, cross the road to reach the junction of theGR®4andGR®465.

(1) Head straight ahead on theGR®4. Go through the electric fence, remembering to put it back in place.
Leave Le Plomb du Cantal behind you and climb for almost 2 km to the Planèze plateau. The view is magnificent, especially during the summer when the herds are transhumant.

(2) Continue straight on for another 2 km without reaching the crossroads at an altitude of 1427 metres.

(3) Turn off the path to reach a mound of stones topped with a cross at an altitude of 1,464 metres on the left. This is the ideal spot to take out your lunch bag and have a picnic.

(4) Descend northwards towards the burons. Join the path and continue left until you reach the pine forest.

(5) Continue through the forest for about 1 km until you reach an intersection with another track.

(6) Turn left onto the grassy track for about 150 m and continue left at the fork until you reach another track. Turn left again onto this track until you reach another junction with a track.

(7) Follow it to the left and then left again a little further on. Continue along this track until you reach another intersection of tracks.

(8) Continue left and stay on this track heading south-west, west until you reach theGR®465.

(9) Turn left onto thisGR® to reach the finish point at Col de Prat de Bouc (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,392 m - Car park at - Col de Prat de Bouc
  2. 1 : km 0.08 - alt. 1,391 m - Pass through the electric wire barrier.
  3. 2 : km 1.97 - alt. 1,479 m - Arrival at the Plateau de la Planèze
  4. 3 : km 3.71 - alt. 1,469 m - Fork in the road, towards La Coix
  5. 4 : km 4.09 - alt. 1,462 m - Cross on a mound of stones
  6. 5 : km 5.79 - alt. 1,367 m - Pine forest
  7. 6 : km 6.82 - alt. 1,309 m - Intersection
  8. 7 : km 8.35 - alt. 1,249 m - Track junction
  9. 8 : km 9.37 - alt. 1,268 m - Intersection
  10. 9 : km 11.07 - alt. 1,331 m - GR465
  11. S/E : km 12.55 - alt. 1,392 m - Car park at - Col de Prat de Bouc

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Downloads
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Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 8 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Vendinielle
Vendinielle

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I only did the first part (up to 3) in AR because I had just done the Chamalière cirque route. The spectacle was dazzling at the end of September, when the cold had already set in. The immensity of the plateau is full of serenity and the view of the peaks is a feast for the eyes. Pure bliss.

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Alouette Lulu
Alouette Lulu

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I agree with Abornes about the direction of the route: going in the opposite direction to the one suggested would allow you to easily admire the Puys. Today was hot. We followed the direction suggested by Finsk so that we would be in the forest during the hottest part of the day, but in the morning we often turned back on the plateau to admire the view behind us. The Visorando app is particularly useful when you're off-trail, such as between points 4 and 5. Just follow the route, which is perfect. Thanks to Finsk for this lovely hike.

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ato60
ato60

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb plateau, with an incredible feeling of immensity!
Follow the GPS route carefully between the cross and the entrance to the woods (off-trail).
Enjoyable return trip through the woods to the Prat de Bouc pass. Be sure to follow the GPS route closely as you approach the car park so you don't end up finishing this beautiful route on the road.

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ANMATROM
ANMATROM
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We discovered this plateau in Cantal.
The route was varied: summer pastures, forest.
A pleasant day
AS

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Cantaloise1000
Cantaloise1000

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike. Moderate difficulty. The only downside was at number 4, where the path to the forest was poorly marked. We ended up in the middle of a herd of cows. Otherwise, the scenery was magnificent.

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abornes
abornes

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, easy hike. However, I recommend doing it in the opposite direction (unless the weather is very hot), which allows you to enjoy the view of the Cantal mountains in front of you on the second half of the route.
Visorando is useful for guidance.

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elisabeth maury
elisabeth maury

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike

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jo1703
jo1703
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This route can be divided into two sections of roughly equal length. One follows a pleasant, shaded forest track but with limited visibility, while the other opens up to superb views of the Cantal countryside with a 360° panorama. Each section has its own unique characteristics and charm.
Due to a moment of inattention, we set off in the wrong direction, but we quickly realised our mistake and decided to continue. In fact, this error turned out to be very positive, as we ended up with the most enjoyable part.
In hot weather, it may be better to hike in the recommended direction, but we really enjoyed walking this way and would even recommend it.
There are no significant elevation changes, so this route is easy to follow, but it is best to follow the summary provided by Visorando, especially in the mountain pastures.
A beautiful walk under a beautiful blue sky, thanks to its author.

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